This question may involve both hardware and networking expertise.
I need to know how to solve the problem below: What hardware?, What software? What method can be used?
Here is what I know about the problem and the possible solution:
(Minimum changes must be made on the source computer)
A. I want to be able to copy all files from one computer's active hard drive to a second large slave hard drive either on the same or a different computer. This will happen many times with different computer systems.
B. The copy must preserve long filenames, and copy all hidden and system files, preserving all file attributes.
C. Verify each file copy if possible, by file size and /or by checksum.
D. Syntax:: XCOPY /e /c/ /h /k /r C:\*.* D:\
This must be done under windows in a DOS prompt to preseve long filenames..
E. The resulting hard drive must be bootable.
C. A drive image will not work, because the resulting drive copy would have the source computer's ROM BIOS.
Norton Ghost cannot be used, (Ghost also must be running on both computers).
D. The destination computer could possibly have networking installed, but not the source computer.
E. For the older systems, a large slave drive cannot be installed, because the mother board BIOS can not control it, unless another disk ROM BIOS is installed.. This is unacceptable.
Some of my ideas for possible solutions? I do not know all the details of these methods.
1. If the source computer is controlled by a newer system BIOS, then temporarily install a target slave hard drive in the source computer, and do a complete drive copy.
2. When a drive copy will not work, then the target hard drive might need to have only a minimum install of a few files to make it bootable.
3. Parallel printer port? This will work in Win98 2nd ed if parallel cable is installed on both
machines, and both machines are netwoek enabled. This will not usually be possible.
4. ? Perhaps use a terminal program on both computers that will be able to send files across the serial or parallel port, but not with networking enabled.on the source computer? Use Hyperterminal on both computers? Set the baud rate high because no actual modem will be used but only a direct cable connection.
5. ?Upload the files by FTP directly to the target computer slave drive, or into memory or to a buffer file on the destination computer's master hard drive, which then will copy this buffered data to the destination computer's target slave drive. This will require an uploading program on the destination computer
6. ? Perhaps the destination computer might need to download a file to the source computer to enable it to be able to upload files.
7. ?Can a way be found to control any hard drive with any ROM BIOS, without disabling the destination computer's BIOS control over the master drive. If so, then, physically remove the source hard drive (controlled by an onknown ROM BIOS) and install it in the destination computer, or to an external drive.
8 ?.Perhaps some remote control program could be used?
Any suggestions about any part of this problem will be appreciated!
